My limited experience:
When I bought my Gretsch, my first and only electric guitar, about two years ago, I also bought a Fender Mustang LT25. I hated it. Next I bought a used Line 6 v4 modeler, and it was an improvement, but I didn't love it. At Steve DeRosa's suggestion I bought a Bugera V22 Infinium tube amp and I really like it. I did swap out the stock tubes for JJs. I also bought a used Yamaha THR10C modeler, which is fun to play with, but I don't really like the sound. I never use it and should probably sell it.
I think I like the tube amp best because the solid state amps, to my ear, sound somewhat sterile. The tube amp seems to impart a degree of warmth that enhances the signal from the Gretsch's pickups.
Of course, that could just be BS that I've talked myself into, since I paid as much or more for the tube amp than the others combined, so it must be better!
